It Is Not Always Good To Be The King

Sophocles’s Antigone is a prime example that defines a tragedy because both of the main characters suffer from a disagreement in their beliefs that eventually lead to their downfalls. By heavily playing with our emotions, this story puzzles our minds for whom we sympathize. Though he is not doing the right thing, Creon, like Oedipus, must stand steadfastly to adhere to the commands of his law to retain his strong and royal appearance. Sadly, Creon is in a quandary on whether law or morality should take priority over Antigone’s punishment. If he does not punish Antigone, he will appear as a weak king. On the other hand, if he punishes Antigone, he will suffer punishments from the gods. Because of his decision, it is his ego and pride that cause him and the world around him to collapse. Although we all disapprove Creon’s decision to punish those respecting the dead, we feel sorry for him because his action causes the demise of his son, wife, and future daughter-in-law. If Creon had looked the other way and ignored the fact that someone committed the trivial crime of burying a dead soldier in a matter of respect, he would have had a prosperous and very fulfilling life with his family. Since Creon seems indifferent and unsympathetic about the death of Polyneices (related in blood), we tend to favor Antigone and feel empathetic for her early in the play. We also sympathize for Antigone because she is punished for doing her required duty of mourning and respecting the death of a family member.

Creon should have seen this train wreck coming. Having experienced Oedipus’s ordeal and realizing the priceless information Teiresias possesses, Creon, despite his royal position, should be subordinate to and trust the blind prophet because Teiresias has the symbolic eyes of a god. If Creon’s attention had not been excessively consumed by upholding the law instead of recognizing his prophecy, he could have avoided this tragedy. After all, he saw that the tragic downfall of Oedipus confirms the clairvoyant’s prediction. At times during the play that foreshadow death, I became frustrated because I wished I could have shouted to Creon to listen to the Teiresias’ valuable insight into his fate. Once the audience or reader is introduced with the prophecy, their emotions and attitudes towards Creon shift from disdain to sympathy because his ego causes him to become oblivious to Teiresias’ advice. Our emotions are enhanced when we see him realize that it is too late to fix his mistakes.

Creon approached Polyneices’ scenario with utterly no rationality of a king. Respecting the dead, regardless if it is a deceased friend or foe, always takes priority. Kings must show that they are grateful, respectful, and compassionate to their warriors for they are the Kings’ faithful servants. Creon should have realized that these dead soldiers sacrificed their lives for something they strongly had supported. Being the rightful heir to the throne, Polyneices died for a reason–he was supposed to be the king. The fact that Polyneices was also a blood relative to Creon made me abhor Creon’s judgment, which leads me to believe that he deserved his punishment.